"Lou Lan, stop running."
Hei Cheng floated in the air, his black robe moving gently in the wind. His face was handsome and refined, his tone full of sincerity, as if he was truly a wronged father trying to explain himself to a stubborn daughter.
"Why would I harm you? You have been misled. There are many misunderstandings between us. The matter with your mother was not as you think."
Hei Lou Lan stood below him, blood flowing from the corner of her mouth. Her armor was cracked, and her aura was unstable, but her eyes were still cold.
"Misunderstanding?" she sneered. "Then why did you bring Xue Song Zi?"
Not far from Hei Cheng, Xue Song Zi stood in the air, his long snowy-white hair falling to his feet. He did not speak, but his gaze moved between Hei Cheng and Hei Lou Lan with interest.
Hei Cheng's expression did not change.
"Lou Lan, you are too emotional."
"You stole my mother's lifespan, and now you want to talk about emotion?"
Hei Cheng's gaze finally turned cold.
"You do not know what is good for you."
Hei Lou Lan wiped the blood from her lips. "If you force me, I will self-detonate. Let us see whether your plan can still succeed then."
Hei Cheng narrowed his eyes slightly.
This was the problem.
He wanted Hei Lou Lan alive.
The Great Strength True Martial Physique was too valuable. If she died, everything would become meaningless.
At this moment, jade-green light suddenly flashed beside the battlefield.
A huge figure appeared.
Eight arms, green face, red eyes, immortal zombie body, and a layer of defensive preparation already covering him.
Fang Yuan had arrived.
Hei Cheng's expression changed slightly. "Fixed Immortal Travel."
Fang Yuan did not waste words. He transmitted to Hei Lou Lan immediately, "Enter my aperture."
Hei Cheng's reaction was faster than most Rank 6 Gu Immortals could imagine.
"Stop him!"
As he spoke, his sleeve moved, and dark light flashed.
At the same time, Xue Song Zi rushed toward Hei Lou Lan.
Fang Yuan moved to block Hei Cheng, while Hei Lou Lan gritted her teeth and retreated. She was injured, but her speed was not slow.
The battlefield split instantly.
Fang Yuan faced Hei Cheng.
Xue Song Zi chased Hei Lou Lan.
Hei Cheng did not test slowly. A black arrow appeared silently, carrying almost no aura, yet Fang Yuan's pupils shrank.
Dark Arrow Immortal Gu.
The arrow flew with terrifying speed. Fang Yuan dodged rapidly, but the arrow changed direction and chased after him like a living shadow.
Then the second dark arrow appeared.
Two dark arrows crossed the air, one chasing Fang Yuan, the other turning toward the direction of Hei Lou Lan and Xue Song Zi.
Hei Cheng's judgment was clear.
Fang Yuan needed three breaths to activate Fixed Immortal Travel.
He would not give him those three breaths.
Xue Song Zi's hand moved, and icy wind condensed into a blade wheel. The wheel spun rapidly, tearing through the air as it chased Hei Lou Lan from behind.
Hei Lou Lan's expression was cold.
She had no intention of begging.
But with her current injuries, avoiding Xue Song Zi and Hei Cheng's attack at the same time was almost impossible.
At that moment, faint purple smoke appeared near her.
The smoke did not flash like Fixed Immortal Travel. It gathered slowly, twisting and shaping into the outline of a person.
One breath.
Two breaths.
The human figure became solid.
Fang Ming appeared.
Xue Song Zi's pupils contracted.
Another one?
Before he could react, Fang Ming raised his hand.
Tyrannical Repulse.
An invisible force erupted outward.
The icy wind blade wheel shattered first, crushed by a repelling strength that spread in a circle.
The dark arrow arrived almost at the same time.
Then the second.
The two arrows struck the repelling field, causing the air around Fang Ming to distort violently. Fang Ming's body shook slightly, and the ground beneath him cracked.
But the arrows did not pierce through.
The repelling force surged.
The two dark arrows were blasted away, their direction forcibly twisted. The rebound force followed their origin, rushing back through the path of attack like a reversed tide.
Hei Cheng's expression finally changed.
The force struck him.
He was pushed backward through the air, his sleeves snapping loudly as he stabilized himself several hundred steps away.
He had not been injured.
But he had been forced back.
By a Rank 6 Gu Immortal.
Xue Song Zi froze.
For three breaths, he did not act.
Fang Yuan immediately seized the gap. Jade-green light began to shine around him as he activated Fixed Immortal Travel.
Fang Ming did not look at Xue Song Zi. He turned to Hei Lou Lan.
"Enter."
Hei Lou Lan did not hesitate.
Fang Ming opened his immortal aperture, and Hei Lou Lan entered. The moment she vanished, purple smoke gathered around Fang Ming again.
Hei Cheng's eyes sharpened. "Stop—"
Too late.
The purple smoke wrapped around Fang Ming's body. His figure blurred and disappeared.
At almost the same moment, jade-green light flashed on Fang Yuan's body.
Three breaths ended.
Fixed Immortal Travel activated.
Fang Yuan vanished as well.
The battlefield became quiet.
Xue Song Zi's face was ugly. "They escaped."
Hei Cheng's expression had already returned to calm.
Xue Song Zi looked at him sharply. "You are a Rank 7 Gu Immortal. You could not stop two Rank 6s?"
Hei Cheng glanced at him.
Xue Song Zi's tone immediately lowered.
Hei Cheng looked at the place where Fang Ming had disappeared. "One had Fixed Immortal Travel. The other used a movement method I have never seen before. Purple smoke, two breaths to form, and able to bring Hei Lou Lan away after taking her into his aperture."
Xue Song Zi frowned. "Who is he?"
"The strength path Gu Immortal from Imperial Court blessed land," Hei Cheng said. "The one who protected Ma Hong Yun for a time."
Xue Song Zi's eyes flickered. "He repelled your Dark Arrow."
"He repelled two," Hei Cheng corrected calmly.
Xue Song Zi fell silent.
Hei Cheng continued, "Hei Lou Lan has more backers than expected. Fang Yuan, Tai Bai Yun Sheng, Fairy Li Shan… and now this strength path Gu Immortal. Interesting."
"You do not seem worried."
"Why should I be?" Hei Cheng smiled faintly. "The tracking method remains. As long as Hei Lou Lan appears in Northern Plains again, I will know."
Xue Song Zi's expression changed slightly.
Hei Cheng looked into the distance. "This was not a failure. It confirmed that she has support. It also exposed another hidden piece."
His gaze deepened.
"That purple smoke movement method… I will remember it."
Fang Ming appeared inside Fairy Li Shan's residence.
Purple smoke dispersed around him.
A moment later, Hei Lou Lan stepped out from his immortal aperture. Her face was pale, and blood still stained her clothes, but her gaze remained sharp.
Fairy Li Shan immediately came forward.
"Little Lan."
"I am fine," Hei Lou Lan said.
"You do not look fine."
Hei Lou Lan did not argue.
Jade-green light flashed soon after, and Fang Yuan appeared. Tai Bai Yun Sheng, who had already been waiting anxiously, hurried over.
"You returned."
Fang Yuan nodded, his gaze briefly landing on Fang Ming.
He had seen it clearly.
Tyrannical Repulse had blocked two Dark Arrows and even forced Hei Cheng back.
Fang Ming's killer move was not simple.
Fairy Li Shan checked Hei Lou Lan's injuries and sighed in relief after confirming they were not fatal.
Hei Lou Lan sat down and said, "Hei Cheng found me too quickly. The tracking method is still there."
Fairy Li Shan's expression sank. "I checked several times."
"His method is well hidden," Fang Yuan said. "If it was easy to find, Hei Cheng would not rely on it."
Fang Ming stood to the side, his expression calm. "Then the ascension location should be chosen assuming he can find it."
Fairy Li Shan looked at him.
Fang Ming continued, "Do not plan based on hiding from Hei Cheng. Plan based on delaying him, suppressing him, and using the ascension environment against him."
Hei Lou Lan nodded.
She looked at Fang Yuan and Fairy Li Shan. "There is another matter. The reason I moved this time was because of information about Ma Hong Yun."
Fang Yuan's gaze sharpened.
Hei Lou Lan said, "There is news that Ma Hong Yun may have been captured by Qin Bai Sheng. His blessed land is at Crimson Reed Marsh."
Tai Bai Yun Sheng frowned. "Qin Bai Sheng?"
Fairy Li Shan explained, "Rank 7 lone cultivator, metal path expert. He is not easy to deal with."
Fang Yuan's eyes moved.
Ma Hong Yun.
Fortune Rivalling Heaven.
Luck path true inheritance.
And also a witness to the Imperial Court blessed land chaos.
Hei Lou Lan continued, "Once this news spreads, Northern Plains Gu Immortals will move. Righteous path and demonic path alike. Ma Hong Yun's value is too great."
Fairy Li Shan said, "That chaos may become our cover."
Hei Lou Lan nodded. "If enough people are drawn to Crimson Reed Marsh, I can ascend during that window."
Fang Ming said calmly, "Use it, but do not rely on it."
Everyone looked at him.
"Hei Cheng may not take the bait," Fang Ming continued. "Luck path inheritance is valuable, but to him, your physique and his own lifespan problem may be more urgent. Prepare as if he will appear."
Hei Lou Lan's eyes flashed. "I thought the same."
Fang Yuan nodded slightly.
This was the correct logic.
Fairy Li Shan said, "During immortal ascension, heaven and earth qi will surge violently. If Hei Cheng enters the area, his battle strength will be affected. Rank 7 or not, he will not be completely free."
"That is our chance," Hei Lou Lan said.
"It is also the danger," Fang Ming replied. "If he acts during qi balancing, even a small disturbance can become fatal."
The room quieted.
After a while, Hei Lou Lan said, "I cannot delay much longer. Half a month at most. Whether Crimson Reed Marsh becomes chaotic or not, I must ascend."
Tai Bai Yun Sheng's expression grew solemn.
Fang Yuan was silent.
Fang Ming's gaze remained steady.
Half a month.
That was not much time.
Fairy Li Shan turned toward Fang Yuan. "You used Fixed Immortal Travel and immortal essence to save Little Lan. According to the alliance terms, compensation should be given."
Hei Lou Lan nodded. "You will receive immortal essence stones, and little aunt has prepared several mortal killer moves and useful resources. They may not be rare Immortal Gu, but they should suit you."
Fang Yuan accepted without false refusal.
Allies settled accounts clearly.
That made cooperation easier.
Then Fairy Li Shan looked at Fang Ming. "Friend Feng, you also acted. Tyrannical Repulse consumed immortal essence, and you used your movement method to bring Little Lan away. What compensation do you want?"
Fang Ming did not answer immediately.
Then he said, "No rush."
Fairy Li Shan raised her brows slightly.
Fang Ming continued, "Instead, I want to ask Fairy Li Shan something."
"Please speak."
"You have many contacts and acquaintances in Northern Plains. Is there a possibility to promote my food beast business among them?"
Fang Yuan's eyes moved.
Food beast business?
Fairy Li Shan was also slightly surprised, but she quickly regained her calm. "What kind of goods?"
"Red Junglefowl."
"Quantity?"
"A small resource point's worth."
"Stable?"
"Stable enough for regular intervals. No production issue."
Fairy Li Shan looked at him more seriously. "One-time deal or long-term cooperation?"
"Long-term, if the buyer is suitable."
"What price?"
"Ninety immortal essence stones per monthly output."
Fairy Li Shan did not speak immediately.
Fang Ming continued, "The price is fixed. No haggling. It is roughly ten percent lower than treasure yellow heaven's common price. Delivery terms can be discussed, but the price does not change."
Fairy Li Shan thought for a moment. "And my fee?"
"Five immortal essence stones for each successful introduction that becomes a stable buyer."
Fairy Li Shan smiled faintly. "You have dealt with merchant organizations before."
"This is a fair middleman fee."
"It is."
Fairy Li Shan nodded. "I can ask around. But it will take time. I need to meet the right people and propose the deal carefully."
"That is enough."
Fairy Li Shan agreed outwardly, but inwardly, she was not calm.
Fang Ming had only recently become a Rank 6 Gu Immortal.
Yet he already had a stable business.
A small resource point producing ninety immortal essence stones per month was not ordinary. Many established Rank 6 Gu Immortals would not have such reliable income. Even some Rank 7 Gu Immortals would value this kind of business.
Fairy Li Shan herself had strong connections and methods, but in terms of direct earning potential, Fang Ming's growth was astonishing.
What she did not know was that this was only the output of one formation.
Fang Ming had four other formations of similar scale already operating.
Fang Yuan was also thinking.
He remembered Fang Ming's ascension. They had ascended around the same time during the chaos of Eighty-Eight True Yang Building. Yet this strength path Gu Immortal had already stabilized a business and begun selling food path beasts at scale.
"Eighty-Eight True Yang Building…" Fang Yuan thought inwardly.
Fang Ming's gains were likely connected to that chaos.
But Fang Yuan did not feel much jealousy.
His own gains were greater in the long term.
He had obtained multiple Immortal Gu.
More importantly, he had Wisdom Gu.
Rank 9 Wisdom Gu.
A treasure that even venerables acknowledged.
Fang Ming's gains were immediately usable, creating income quickly. Fang Yuan's gains were deeper, longer-term, and more difficult to convert into immediate wealth.
That was the difference.
After thinking briefly, Fang Yuan spoke.
"Friend Feng, since you sell food beasts, perhaps we can also discuss a transaction."
Fang Ming looked at him. "You need feeding resources?"
Fang Yuan laughed hoarsely. "Owning Immortal Gu is impressive. Feeding them is less impressive."
Tai Bai Yun Sheng gave a bitter smile.
He understood this too well.
Fang Yuan had several Immortal Gu. Each one represented strength, but also a constant burden.
Fang Ming said, "What type of feeding material?"
"Depends on the Gu."
"Then the price depends on the Gu."
Fang Yuan smiled. "Can Red Junglefowl be cheaper if bought in bulk?"
"No."
"You said ninety immortal essence stones for monthly output. For allies, there should be a discount."
"For allies, the quality is guaranteed."
Fang Yuan's smile widened.
Fang Ming's expression did not change.
The two began discussing seriously.
Fang Yuan asked about vitality, dao mark density, storage methods, whether the beasts could be processed into preserved food path materials, and whether mixed batches were possible.
Fang Ming answered only what was necessary.
He did not reveal production scale.
He did not reveal his formations.
He did not reveal his other markets.
But he gave enough detail to show that his goods were real.
Fang Yuan tried to press the price lower.
Fang Ming refused.
Fang Yuan tried to ask about future supply flexibility.
Fang Ming gave vague but usable answers.
Fang Yuan asked whether partial payment in Gu recipes or resources was acceptable.
Fang Ming said it depended on the value.
The negotiation became increasingly detailed.
Hei Lou Lan watched from the side.
Her injuries still hurt, but her eyes slowly became complicated.
Fang Yuan had Immortal Gu.
Fang Ming had Immortal Gu, killer moves, business, and income.
Fairy Li Shan had Rank 7 strength, Mountain Pledge Gu, and connections.
Tai Bai Yun Sheng had already become a Gu Immortal as well.
Everyone at the table had already stepped into the immortal world.
Only she was still at the threshold.
She lowered her gaze.
The desire to ascend burned even stronger.
Half a month.
No matter what, she had to cross that line.
The discussion continued for some time before finally slowing.
Fairy Li Shan had agreed to help Fang Ming look for buyers.
Fang Yuan had opened food beast negotiations.
Hei Lou Lan's ascension window had been set.
Ma Hong Yun's news was spreading like a storm beyond Snowy Mountain.
Hei Cheng's hidden tracking still hung over them like a shadow.
Fang Ming sat quietly, tea cooling before him.
The rescue had succeeded.
The danger had not passed.
But he had gained something from it.
A possible Northern Plains buyer network through Fairy Li Shan.
A possible customer in Fang Yuan.
A clearer understanding of Hei Cheng's threat.
And confirmation that Tyrannical Repulse could withstand even Dark Arrow, at least when prepared.
He looked at Hei Lou Lan.
Her ascension would come soon.
When that day arrived, business, revenge, inheritance, tracking methods, and immortal combat would all collide.
Fang Ming's expression remained calm.
He had protected his investment once.
Soon, he would have to do it again.